Weft-replenishing mechanism for automatic looms



June 26, 1928. 1,674,861

A. A. GORDON WEFT anrnmmsnme MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC LOOMS Filed May1926 3 Sheets-Sheet l I I: J za g- 00 O0 June 26,1928.

A. A. GORDON v v WEFT REPLENISHING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC LOOMS FiledMay 1926 s snets-sheez 2 .ZWMF/VTOP? W44 55/? Tiara June 26', 1928.1,674,861 I A. A. GORDON WEFT REPLENISHING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC LOOMSFiled May 1926 -3 Sheets-Sheet Patented June 26, i928.

satires ares AIiBEB/I A. GORDON, OF VORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORTO CROMPTON 86 KNO'WLES LOOM WORKS, OF MASSACHUSETTS.

WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF WEFT-REPLENISHING MECHANISMFOR AUTOMATIC LOOMS.

Application filed May 8,

This invention relates to weft replenishlng mechanism for a loom of thegeneral type in which shifting shuttle boxes are provied at the magazineend of the loom.

It is the object of my invention to provide certain improvements in thegeneral type of mechanism shown in my prior applications Serial No.16,791 and No. 92,037.

Important features of my present invention relate to improved bobbinholding and presenting mechanism, to improved devices for holding andcutting the weft end attached to the transferred weft carrier, and toother arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafterdescribed and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings, in whichFig. 1 is a partial right hand side elevation of a loom showing myimprovements;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the end holder, looking in the direction ofthe arrow 2 in Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the end holder, taken along the line33 in Fig. 2;

Fig. l is a sectional plan view, taken substantially along the line H inFig. 1; but with certain parts in a diiierent position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation. showing a threadcutting device and taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the parts in a differentposition;

Fig. 7 is a sectional end elevation, taken along the line 77 in Fig. i;but with the carrier in a different position;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail view, showing certain bobbin-holdingdevices;

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of a thread gripping device, taken alongthe line 9-9 in Fig. l.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a rear view of certainbobbinholding devices; and

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view, taken along the line 12-l2 in Fig.11.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 4, I have shown a portion oil aloom frame 20, upon which is mounted a stationary weft carrier magazineM which is shown in the 1926. Serial no. 107,770.

drawings as being divided with three vertical bobbin-holdingcompartments.

Alplurality of shuttle boxes 21 (Fig. 7) are rotatably mounted at theright hand end of the lay 22 and these boxes are shifted angularly tobringany desired box to running position by means of a gear 23 rotatablewith the boxes and positioned for engagement by rack bars 24 and 25,mounted at the upper end of an actuating rod 26. A second actuating rod27 is effective to shift the rack bars transversely to cause one or theother rack bar to engage the gear 23.

By selectively shifting the rack bars 24 and 25, and selectively liltingor lowering the rod 26 and the rack bars connected thereto, the gear andthe associated shuttle boxes 21 may be moved angularly to bring anyselected box to running position.

A bobbin holder 30 (Fig. 1) is mounted at the upper end ot an arm or rod31 swinging about a pivot in the lower portion of the loom, preferablyclosely adjacent to the axis about which the lay is moved.

A transferrer 33 is mounted for vertical sliding movement in a guideway34: (Fig. 4) carried by the lay 22. yieldingly raise the transterreragainst a stop screw 37, and an actuating arm 38 engages a roll 39 4:)to give the transfer an operative downward movement when weftreplenishment is indicated.

All the parts thus far described are or may be substantially disclosedin my prior applications above noted, to which reference may be had fora more complete disclosure or the construction and operation thereof.

Bobbin holding mechanism.

1 have provided certain improved devices for holdingthe bobbin duringits rearward movement from the magazine and for presenting it'intransfer position.

On indication of weft exhaust-ion, a bobbin B isreleased from one of themagazine compartments, as fully described in my prior applications, anddrops onto a stationary plate 40 justas the bobbin holder 30 begins itsoperative rearward movement.

The bobbin-holder 30 is substantially U- shaped in plan, as shown inFig. a, and is provided with a recess ll for the butt of A spring 36acts to v falling. as it is moved rearward the bobbin and with a smallerrecess 42- for the tip the bobbin. A yielding spring plate 43 (Fig. 8)engages the tip of the bobbin B adjacentthe recess 42, said spring platebeing rearwardly projected atits lower end portion to provide a yieldingsupport for the bobbin.

As the bobbin is pushed rearward, it engages a yielding supporting andretarding device 45 (Fig.7) having a concave lower end plate 46 (Fig.11) fitting the body of weft on the bobbin B. The device 45 is looselypivoted on a rod 46, fixed at therear of the magazine M, and is providedwith a cross rod 47 resting upon rearwardly projecting curved supports48 1); These supports are curved substantially in the arc of a circlestruck from the center of the rock shaft of the lay, and cause theconcave engaging plate 46 to travel rearward sub stantially in the arcof a circle correspond ing to the path of the shuttle boxes.

To accomn'iodate such movement, the upper .ends'of .the supporting arms49 of the device-45 are'slotted or recessed as indicated at 50 in Figs.1 and 12., Coil springs 51 engage projections on the arms 49 and forcethe device 45 yieldingly forward with sufficient pressure to prevent thebobbin from by the bobbin holder. I Thedevic'e'45 is limited in itsrearv ward movement relative to the shuttle box on the lay end and whichby engagement with a stop arm 45 (Fig. 4) also acts to partially restoresaid device 45 to forward position, as the lay continues to move forwardafter transfer.

Thread holding device.

The rotary .box construction introduces certain special requirements inthe matter of disposing of the weft end attached to the transferred weftcarrier. The end. of the weft must obviously be firmly held both beforeand after the weft carrier is transferred, so that the weft will bedrawn out of the shuttle and threaded in the shuttle eye as the shuttleis picked to the opposite side of the loom.

With the rotary boxes, however, it is desirable that the thread besevered at the time of trans-fer,'so that the weft end may not becarried. around the rotating box and obstruct the operation of the loomor become broken and be carried into the cloth.

Accordingly I have provided aspecial end holder and a special grippingand endcuttmg device Wl11Cl1 I will now describe.

' End holder.

My improved end. holder comprises a casing 55, secured to the end of adepending wire or rod 56, fixed to the frame of the magazine M by a setscrew 57 (Fig. 1). The casing is provided with a series of verticalslots 58, and a corresponding number of Weights 59 are slidablevertically in the casing and are guided by studs 60 extending throughthe slots 58. Each weight 59 separately guided under the hooks 61 on theweights 59 and are then secured to an endholding stud 65 (Figs. 2 and3).

The object of the weights 59 is to take up the slack thread and to. keepthe weft end underyielding tension during and following transfer, for apurpose to be described.

Thread gripping and cutting mechanism. I have previously stated that itis desirable that the weft end for the newly transferred weft carriershall'be severed promptly after the transfer. To accomplish this pur-.pose, I provide a threadgri-ppingplate (Figs. 4, 9 and 10) having arear. portion fixed to the top of the corresponding shuttle box andhaving its front portion yieldingly engaging the top of the box.

The front edge of the plate is turned slightly upward to provide a wing,as indicated at 71 in Fig. 9, which causes the plate to be liftedandride over a stud 7 2, fixed in the outer side of the bobbin holder 30and movable rearwardly therewith. As the plate is thus raised, the weftend is tensioned by its weight 59 and while thus under tension, it slipsunder the raised spring plate 70.

As the holder reaches its extreme rearward position, the pin 72 passesbeyond the rear edge of the free end of the plate 70, as indicated indotted lines in Fig. 10, and the plate snaps down, gripping the weft endthereunder.

Ihave also provided a thread cutter,com-

llU

prising a lower jaw 75 (Figs. 5 and 6) mounted upon a bracket 76,secured to a frame member77- carried by the lay 22. A. second jaw 78 ispivoted at 79011 the bracket 76 on the fixed jaw and is held yieldinglyin raised or open position 'by a spring 80.

The transferrer 33 has a stud 81 (Fig. 4) projecting to the right overthe movable cutter aw 78. As the transferrer moves down,- Ward, themovable jaw is depressed to cut the thread which has been drawn betweenthe jaws from the end holder 63 to the spring plate 30, the relativeposition of the parts being clearlyshown in Fig. 4.

The weft end is thus freed from the'stationary end holder and isthereafter heldby the spring plate 'TO, which is mounted upon androtates with the associated shuttle box, so that there is no chance forthe weft end to obstruct the mechanism or to be broken thereby, duringrotary movement of the boxes.

Having described the details of my invention, it will be seen that Ihaveprovided very effective mechanism for holding the weft carrier duringrearward movement and for presenting the weft carrier in transferposition. I have also provided effective means for holding the weft endduring such movement and for thereafter severing the weft-end andholding the severed end on the shuttle box during subsequent operationsof the loom.

In the weft-holding means, I have made provision for yieldinglytensioning the weft end during the rearward presenting movement andduring and after transfer. The weights 59 are preferably suspended bythe weft ends somewhat below their topmost positions, so that I they"may be yieldingly raised to provide an increased length of weft ifneeded during presentation and transfer, while also effecting yieldingtension thereon.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do notwish to be limited to the details herein disclosed otherwise than as setforth in the claims, but what I do claim-is:- 1

1. In a loom, a weft replenishing magazine, a weft end holder to which.the weft ends from a plurality of weft carriers are secured, and meansto separately apply yielding tension to each individual weft end securedto said end holder, at an intermediate point between its weft carrierand said end holder and to maintain such tension during transfer. 1

2. In a loom, a weft replenishing magazine having a plurality ofcompartments. an end holder to which said weft ends from the carriers indifferent magazine compartments may be secured, and a plurality ofseparate tension devices, each engaging a weft end between one of'said'weft carriers and said end holder and efiective to yield and providesubstantially uniform tension for its particular weft end duringtransferof its weft carrier to a running shuttle.

3. In a loom. a weftreplenishing magazine, a lay having a shuttlebox, ashuttle therein, and means on said lay effective to grip and hold theweft end of a weft carrier transferred to said shuttle from saidmagazine, said holding means being operated to engage and securely gripsaid weft end before movement of said shuttle from its shuttle boxbegins.

4-. In a loom, a weft replenishing magazine, a lay having a shuttle box.a shuttle therein, means on said lay effective to grip boxes, afixed endholder.

and hold the weft end ofa weft carrier transferred to said shuttle fromsaid magazine, said holding means being operated to engage and securelygrip said Weft end before movement of said shuttle from its shuttle boxbegins, and means to open said gripping device during presentation ofthe weft carrier to transfer position.

5. In a loom, a weft replenishing magazine, a lay, a shuttle box mountedat the magazine end of the lay, a weft carrier holding device movablerearward to present a weft carrier in transfer position, a weft endgripping device on said shuttle box, and means on said holding deviceeffective to render said gripping device inoperative during a portion ofthe rearward movement of said holding device.

6. In a. 100111, a weft replenishing magazine, a. lay, a shuttle boxmounted at the magazine end of the lay, a weft carrier holding devicemovable rearward to present a weft carrier in transferposition, afweftend gripping device on-said shuttle box, and means on said holdingdevice effective to render said gripping device inoperative during aportion of the rearward movement of said holding device, said grippingdevice being thereafter released for effective operation as said holdingdevice approaches its extreme rearward position.

7. In a loom, a lay, a plurality of rotary shifting shuttle boxesmounted thereon, a weft replenishing magazine adjacent said aweft-gripping spring plate on each shuttle box, and means to lift saidplate as the fresh weft carrier is presented in transfer position, andto thereafter release said plate to grip and hold the weft end.

8. In a loom, a. weft replenishing magazine, a lay having a shuttle box,a shuttle therein, means on said lay effective to grip and hold the weftend of a weft carrier transferred to said shuttle from said magazine,said holding means being'operated to engage and securely grip said weftend before movement of said shuttle from its shuttle box begins, an endholder mounted separately from the lay and to which said weft end ispreliminarily attached and means on the lay to sever said weft endbetween said holding device and said end holder.

9. In a loom, a lay, aplurality of rotary shifting shuttle boxes mountedthereon, a weft'replenishing magazine adjacent said boxes, a fixed endholder, means on each shuttle box to grip the weft of a newly insertedweft carrier, and means to sever said weft between said gripping meansand said end holder. I

10. In a loom, a lay, a. plurality of rotary shifting shuttle boxesmounted thereon. a weft replenishing magazine adjacent said boxes, afixed end holder, means on each shuttle box-to grip the weft of a newlyinsert-ed weft carrier, and means to sever said weft betweensaidgripping means and said end holder and prior to" rotary shiftingmovement of said boxes. I

11. Ina loom, lay, a transferrer, aweft end cuttermounted on said lay,and means on said transferrer engaging and actuating said-cutter asaweft carrier is transferred.

'12. In a loom, a lay, a shuttle box there on, a" weft replenishingmagazineand a weft end holder both adjacent said shuttle box, and meansto sever the thread between said end holderand a shuttle in saidadjacent shuttlebox and before movement of the shuttle begins.

13. In a loom, a lay, a shuttle box thereon, a weft replenishingmagazine and a weft end holder both adjacent said shuttle box,

and means movable with said lay effective to sever the weft end betweensaid adjacent shuttle box and said end holder.

14:. In a loom, a lay, a shuttle box thereon, a weft-replenishing-magazine and a weft end holder both adjacent said shuttle box, a threadcutter engaging the weft bet-ween a shuttle in said adjacent shuttle boxand said end holder, andmeansto actuate said cutter.

15. In a loom,-a ,lay, a shuttle box thereon, a weft replenishingmagazine and a weft end holder both adjacent said shuttle box, a threadcutter engaging the weft between a shuttle in said adjacent shuttle boxand said end holder, and means to actuate said cutter, said latter meansbeing operated only at the time of weft-carrier transfer.

16. In a loom, a lay, a shuttle box thereon,

a a weft replenishing magazine and a weft end holder both adjacent saidshuttle box, a thread cutter engaging the weft between a shuttle in saidadjacent shuttle box and said end holder, and means to actuate saidcutter, said latter means being operative whenever a fresh weft carrieris inserted in v the running shuttle.

17. In a loom, an end holder, a lay having a lay end frame, a pluralityof shuttle boxes movably mounted on said frame, a cutter blade securedto said lay end frame and extending forward above the active shuttlebox, a movable cutter blade co-operating with said first blade, andmeans toactaate said movable blade to sever the weft end between theshuttle boxand the' end holder.

18. In a loom, an end holder, a lay having a lay end frame, a pluralityof shuttle boxes movably mounted on said frame, a cutter blade securedto said lay end frame and extending forward above the active shuttlebox, a pivoted cutter blade co-operating with said first blade, atransferrer, and Ineans actuated by said transferrer efltective todepress said pivotedcutter blade to sever a weft end between the shuttlebox and the end holder.

and means to depress said transferrer, said transferrer having a portionextending'over said pivoted blade and effective to give said blade acutting movement as said transferrer descends.

20. In a loom, a weft replenishing magazine, a bobbin holding andpresenting device having rearward portions engaging the bobbin, aretaining plate positioned for engagement'by the rearportionofsaidbobbin, and means to yieldingly resist rearward movement ofsaid bobbin and plate.

21. In a loom, a weft-replenishing maga- Zine, a bobbin holding andpresenting device having rearward portions engaging the bobbin, aretaining plate positioned for en gagement by the rear portion'of saidbobbin,

and means to yieldingly resist rearward movement of said plate, saidbobbin-being supported to prevent downward displacement by saidretainingplate and-said bobbin holder only when .in transfer position.

22. In a loom, a weft replenishing magazine, a bobbin holding andpresenting device havingrearward portions engaging the bobbin, aretaining plate positioned "for en gagement by the rear portion of saidbobbin, means to yieldingly resist rearward movement ofsaid plate, saidbobbin being supported to prevent downward displacement by saidretaining plate and said bobbin holder only when in transfer position,and a fixed supporting plate for saidbobbin at the first portion. of itsrearward travel.

23. Ina loom, a lay, a weft replenishing magazine, a bobbin holding andpresenting device, a retaining plate positioned for engagement by therear portion of said bobbin, means to yieldingly resist rearwardmovement of said plate, and means on the lay eifective to limitsuchrearward movement.

24. In a loom, a lay, a weft replenishing magazine, a bobbin holding andpresenting device, a retaining'plate positioned for engagement by therear portion of said bobbin, means to yieldingly resist rearwardmovement of said plate, and means on the lay effective to limit suchrearward movement, and to give said plate an initial forward re turnmovement.

25. In a loom. a lay, a weft replenishing device, a retaining plate.positioned for en gagement'by the rear portion of said bobbin, means to'yieldingly resist rearward movement of said plate and means to guidesaid magazine, a bobbin holding and presenting let? plate verticallyduring such rearward movement, so that said plate and bobbin movesubstantially in the arc traversed by the lay.

26. In a loom, a lay, a weft replenishing magazine, a bobbin holding andpresenting device, a retaining plate positioned for engagementby therear portion of said bobbin, means to yielding'ly resist rearwardmovement of said plate, and means to control the vertical position ofsaid plate as said plate moves rearward.

27. In a loom, a lay, a weft replenishing magazine, a bobbin holding andpresenting device a retaining plate positioned for engagement by therear portion of said bobbin, means to yieldingly resist rearwardmovement of said plate, said plate having a cross rod, and rearwardlyextending guide rods on saidmagazine projecting beneath said cross rodand supporting and guiding said plate in its rearward movement.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

ALBERT A. GORDON.

